AfriGeneas Africa Research Forum

prelude election 44th. president United States

The significance of this period in United States history came to my attention while researching malaria in Ghana during 2008 and working on the development of a clinic in a underserved region in Ghana.

While being driven through Accra and pausing at a traffic light a Ghana youth came to the open car window and offered an African American presidential nominee tee-shirt for sale. As we drove further there were books for sale concerning the presidential nominee also offered to people with open windows. There have been songs written in Ghana about the president elect. These songs have been given a wide coverage by the Ghana media on radio and television.

It was very interesting. When I spoke to people about the circumstances young people in Ghana seemed to think that the presidential nominee was "our president"! I took that to mean that the nominee was seen as a president who was connected to Ghana (Africa) and the world.

The Ghana media covered extensively the political activities in the USA and the trip to Berlin, Germany of the presumptive presidential nominee. German people came in mass to greet him
during his visit. This shows that Germany is prepared to change an international image of being racially bias held by certain elements.

A non-partisan article was placed in a Ghana newspaper requesting all US citizens to register to vote at an address provided. A representative from the US embassy was at the meeting
to assist with voter registration. The US Embassy was considered very helpful by those present.

The 43rd. President and his gracious wife visited Ghana during 2008. It is therefore important to appreciate the prompt opening of the doors of the White House to the President Elect, his spouse and family to view their new circumstances in a cultivated way and manner. This reflects that the United States; whatever the political interests; can come together for the greater good of the nation.

The United States must recognize that; Democracy did not come to Ghana with Anglo-European Colonialism or European dominance. The seeds of African Democracy were planted through the indigenous and stable structures of Africa for centuries. It was not perfect. The US Constitution was not perfect at its' inception.